I really like these NEEMO activities. Very cool: simulating delayed communications. I'd love it if they could overcome this issue someday (who knows, maybe neutrino particle communication beams or something).

Let's hope Luca Parmitano doesn't have a repeat of his 'fishbowl' experience!

I really like these NEEMO activities. Very cool: simulating delayed communications. I'd love it if they could overcome this issue someday (who knows, maybe neutrino particle communication beams or something).

Let's hope Luca Parmitano doesn't have a repeat of his 'fishbowl' experience!

Great read Chris.

Gravity makes things a lot easier to manage

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"There is nobody who is a bigger fan of sending robots to Mars than me... But I believe firmly that the best, the most comprehensive, the most successful exploration will be done by humans" Steve Squyres

Since 20 July, the twentieth NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations campaign, or NEEMO 20, is underway. ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano, NASA astronauts Serena Aunon and David Coan and JAXA's Norishige Kanai are living and working in the Aquarius underwater research station off the coast of Florida, USA.

The crew is living and working almost 20 m underwater to test tools and techniques for spacewalks, as they venture outside the base in full scuba gear. By adjusting their buoyancy, the aquanauts can simulate the gravity levels found on the Moon, Mars and asteroids.

Space agencies are always looking for ways to prepare and train for spaceflight without leaving Earth. ESA sends astronauts underground in Sicilian caves and NASA goes underwater. Astronauts from all Space Station partners join to make the experience as realistic as possible – working efficiently and safely with a culturally diverse team is part of the package.

I dove Aquarius Reef Base with Fabien Cousteau a few years ago. Very interesting habitat. One of my former interns is now Assistant Dive Safety Officer for FIU and works in support of the base, and I'm friends with the DSO. I'll have to inquire about this mission.